Essay 331

Yo, Dawg! It’s another MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• The New York Times reported big changes are in the works for BET. President and CEO Debra L. Lee officially took control, and she plans to bring fresh programming and inspired life to the iconic network. There’s a bunch of new shows scheduled to air. “Meet the Faith” is a talk-show tackling political and social issues from spiritual and moral angles. “Lil’ Kim: Countdown to Lockdown” documents the weeks prior to the rapper’s incarceration. “Season of the Tiger” highlights football players and band members from Grambling State University. The other 23.5 hours per day will probably continue to feature music videos and infomercials.

• Graffiti artist Oliver Siandre — aka Kiko — has been hit with a 30-count indictment for his spray-painting efforts in Queens, and it all could cost him 7 years in prison. Wonder if Sony will at least give the tagger a free Playstation Portable.

• Advertising Age named three Hispanic shops in its Agency Of The Year Report — The Vidal Partnership, Dieste Harmel & Partners and Bromley Communications. In fact, Vidal was among only 40 agencies to earn a 5-star rating, putting them in a league with Crispin Porter & Bogusky and TBWA/Chiat/Day. However, the Multicultural Agency Of The Year Award went to Burrell, a Black-focused agency. Burrell became the first Black agency to win the award. And Vidal apparently became the first Hispanic agency to get screwed out of the award.